A bump stock device (left), that fits on a semi-automatic rifle to increase the firing speed, making it similar to a fully automatic rifle, is shown next to a AK-47 semi-automatic rifle (right), at a gun store on Oct. 5, 2017, in Salt Lake City, Utah. (George Frey / Getty Images)

Members of Congress from the Fox Valley called for review of some gun measures after a gunman killed at least 58 people and wounded hundreds of others Monday in Las Vegas.

Area Republican and Democratic U.S. representatives agreed that "bump stocks," devices found in the Las Vegas gunman's hotel room that allow a semiautomatic rifle to fire hundreds of rounds per minute, should be addressed. But beyond that, their views differed.

Advertisement

Democrats Bill Foster (Naperville) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (Schaumburg) separately called for other gun control measures in addition to a "bump stocks" ban.

Republicans Peter Roskam (Wheaton) and Randy Hultgren (Plano) issued statements urging the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to review a determination authorizing the sale of "bump stocks" while reiterating that the U.S. Constitution grants the right to bear arms.

Their comments came as the National Rifle Association, the Trump administration and Republican congressional leaders showed support for regulating the "bump stock" devices.

The NRA's comments could be significant in the national gun policy debate. Kirk Miller, a Northern Illinois University sociology professor who has researched American gun culture, said part of the reason the debate about gun control is contentious today is because of the political power of gun rights groups, including the NRA, while groups advocating gun control have not had the same sustained energy.

That trend can be traced back to a shift in NRA actions, Miller said. Where the organization was once a hobbyist group focused on developing resources for hunters or those interested in rifles, in the 1970s and 1980s it became much more political, he said.

Two of four Fox Valley members of Congress have received donations from the NRA, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks money in politics and the effect on elections and policy. Hultgren's campaign or "leadership PAC" has received $16,000 from gun-rights groups during his career, plus more than $2,200 in other support from outside groups. Roskam's has received $41,650, plus nearly $16,600 in other support, according to the center.

Neither lawmaker responded to an emailed question about the donations.

High-profile incidents involving firearms and death also spark anxiety around public safety and guns and an emotional response, Miller said.

Those high-profile, emotional events can spark discussion about gun laws, but also often shift conversation away from other types of gun violence that are more common, such as suicides and homicides, he said. Still, he said, if a national discussion about guns doesn't happen after a shooting such as the one in Las Vegas, it may never happen.

"There's a good case to be made that we live in an era of mass public shootings," he said. "And that there's just kind of a tolerance that has developed in response, despite the emotional outpouring, the kind of sick feelings perhaps that people have in trying to wrap their head around the awfulness of these kind of incidents."

Some area congressmen said gun measures should be addressed in the wake of the shooting in Las Vegas. Foster said Congressional action on guns is overdue.

"Some people say it's too early to be talking about (gun policies)," Foster said. "But for those victims who were shot down just trying to have a night out listening to music, it's too late for them."

Foster, saying he was heartbroken by the shooting, outlined several gun control measures he supports, including those addressing assault weapons. The Las Vegas shooting has raised the urgency of addressing "bump stocks," he said.

He said lawmakers should talk about limits on the type of weapons the Second Amendment applies to.

Advertisement

Krishnamoorthi called for what he said were "common sense" gun control measures, such as those addressing perceived loopholes in background check requirements for would-be gun purchasers. He said the Las Vegas shooting highlighted that gun violence must be addressed in a bipartisan way.

"We are all thinking about the victims of the shooting and our thoughts and prayers are with them," he said. "But thoughts and prayers aren't enough. We have to do something to basically limit gun violence."

Hultgren said in a statement he was "outraged and heartbroken," and that ATF should review their definition of automatic weapons and their determination regarding bump stocks. The agency reportedly had determined "bump stocks" were firearm parts and so are not regulated by federal laws.

Talking about illegal gun purchases, he said gun laws, including tougher penalties, should be focused on how firearms are obtained.

"The Constitution is clear about the right of citizens to keep and bear arms," he said. "Great care should be exercised before restricting the rights of the vast majority of law-abiding citizens, while we still ensure violent criminals cannot gain access to guns."

Roskam in a statement described his sadness for those killed and injured and the "compassion and unity" shown as humanity helped one another, while also pointing a finger at ATF.

"I support current laws that ban automatic weapons," he said. "The so-called bump stock violates the spirit of the law and should be addressed immediately. While I support the Second Amendment and the rights that it affords, I urge the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives...to reverse the policy that allows semi-automatic weapons to be modified to be automatic, rapid fire weapons."

A potential challenger to Roskam, Becky Anderson Wilkins, issued a statement calling on Roskam to "step out from under the thumb of the NRA" and "take meaningful action to advance gun violence prevention now." Anderson Wilkins, a Naperville City Councilwoman, is one of a slew of candidates running in the 2018 Democratic primary for Roskam's seat.